Indonesia to offer 27 blocks in March

Feb. 22, 2006
The Indonesian government is expected to invite bids next month for 27 oil and gas blocks, 17 of which would be negotiated on a direct offer scheme and the rest through regular tenders.

Offshore staff

(Asia-Pacific) - The Indonesian government is expected to invite bids next month for 27 oil and gas blocks, 17 of which would be negotiated on a direct offer scheme and the rest through regular tenders, says the Energy Ministry's director general of oil and gas, Iin Arifin Takhyan.

Five of the direct-offer concessions had failed to attract bids previously, he says, adding that most of the blocks were onshore.

All agreed deals would be under a production sharing contract.

With crude oil production dropping to 1.061 MMb/d in 2005 from 1.094 MMb/d in 2004, Indonesia has been promoting exploration both onshore and offshore, especially with new terms and conditions under the directly negotiated scheme as a mode to convince investment in exploration in untested regions.

02/22/06